Alhambra Theatre & Dining Welcomes Barbara Eden in SOCIAL SECURITY, Now thru 6/8

For five years from 1965-1970, America was fixated on a unique premise of a dashing Naval officer who's life was turned upside down by a 2,000 year old blonde, female genie he discovered by rubbing a bottle. 139 episodes later, including 30 of them in black and white during its first season, Jeannie, played by Barbara Eden and Major Nelson, played by Larry Hagman fell in love and got married. "I Dream of Jeannie" went on to international syndication, and both Hagman and Eden went on to successful and diverse acting careers, but Eden will always be known best for her role as the fun-loving, naïve and provocative, Jeannie.

Tonight, May 7, Barbara Eden will take her magic to the longest running professional dinner theater in the country when the Alhambra Theatre & Dining opens Social Security, a comedy that was originally directed on Broadway by Mike Nichols. Social Security is presented by WEJZ-FM.

"When I announce her name during my Warm Welcome to our guests, Barbara Eden far and away receives the biggest cheers of any star we've had on our stage during the last four years," says Craig Smith, Managing Partner of the Alhambra. "I am awed by her on so many levels, and I know our guests will immediately connect with her. She's a tremendous talent and bringsher same enchanting charm to this show as she did to TV more than 40 years ago."

Social Security ran on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in 1986. The story focuses on trendy Manhattan art gallery owners, Barbara and David Kahn, whose life is upended when Barbara's sister Trudy, a housewife, deposits their eccentric mother, Sophie, played by Eden, on the couple's doorstep while she and her husband, Martin, head to Buffalo to rescue their promiscuous daughter, a college student. Barbara and David introduce the mother to suave artist, Maurice Koenig, who offers to paint her portrait and soon begins to brighten her life in ways she never expected in her twilight years.

Barbara Eden is one of America's most endearing and enduring stars. Her iconic I Dream of Jeannie NBC Television series, launched in 1965, became an instant hit. The network series ran for five seasons (139 episodes) and has been airing continuously on cable and in syndication in the United States and abroad for over 40 years.

Her recently published memoir Jeannie Out Of The Bottle, debuted at #14 on the New York Times Best Seller List. The autobiography chronicle's Eden's colorful life and remarkable Hollywood career that spans more than five decades. Film, television and theater keep her busy as an actress with personal appearances, tours, numerous charitable events and home life all of which are a part of her regular hectic agenda.

Among her recent television appearances was guest-starring in the Hallmark Television special, Always and Forever, and a recurring guest star role in Lifetime's Army Wives TV series. She has also been a frequent guest on many of the TV networks popular talk shows. On stage, Barbara starred in a three-year 25-city tour headlining Neal Simon's female version of The Odd Couple, and followed with a special 10-week engagement in Social Security in 2012 at the famed New Theatre in Kansas City. She co-starred with Hal Linden on a number of engagements in the Tony® Awards-winning two-character play, Love Letters.

During her career, Barbara has starred in 25 feature films, five network TV series, 19 top-rated network made-for-television movies and headlined at many of the major hotel resorts and casinos including Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and Las Vegas where she appeared at the MGM Grand, Caesar's Palace, Riviera, Frontier, and Landmark Hotels and Casinos. In motion pictures Barbara essayed starring roles in a number of blockbuster feature films including "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grim," "The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao" and as Elvis Presley's leading lady in "Flaming Star."

Barbara made her television debut while a contract player at 20th Century Fox in their hit TV series "How to Marry a Millionaire," in the role Marilyn Monroe created in the motion picture version. She also starred in the hit movie Harper Valley PTA, which subsequently became a popular TV series.

People Magazine named Barbara "One of America's 200 Greatest Pop Icons of the 20th Century." She has also been honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame near the front of the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre. She was named one of TV Guide's Most Popular Comedy Stars and has received the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the TV Land Television Network.

When there's time in her crowded schedule, she works actively on behalf of numerous charities including The Trail of Painted Ponies Breast Cancer Research, American Cancer Society, the Wellness Community, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, Save the Children and Childhelp USA.

As he does for each show, Executive Chef DeJuan Roy will celebrate the show with a menu that fits its themes. For Social Security, the first course includes a choice of Garden salad with tomato, cucumber, carrot and onion with walnut dressing or Matzah Ball soup. The second course includes a choice of Chicken Pomadoro with linguini and green beans, or Fried Catfish with shrimp creole and white rice pilaf, or Braised Barbeque Beef Brisket with new potatoes, and green beans, or Wild mushroom, spinach, and cheese strudel with spicy lentil fondue and asparagus. For dessert, guests can choose from New York style cheesecake with strawberries coulis or Monkey Bread with warm caramel sauce.

Social Security will run at the Alhambra tonight, May 7 through June 8, 2014. Show time is 8:00 PM for evening shows. Doors open at 5:45 PM and dinner will be served until 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday are at 1:15 PM. Doors open at 11:00 AM and brunch starts at 11:15 AM. Sunday matinee is at 2:00. Doors open at noon and the meal starts at 12:15 PM. Group sales are available. Pricing starts at $35 and includes dinner, show and parking. Call the box office at 904.641.1212 or www.alhambrajax.com.

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